Categories: Car News

Hyundai just does not want to leave the pages of auto publications lately. The Korean automaker is reportedly working on improving its high-end offerings with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The gearbox, which adds an extra two gears over the eight-speed equipped to the 2012 Genesis and 2012 Equus, is being developed for future high-end models.

When Subaru scrapped the 2012 model of the company’s Impreza Outback Sport, some Subaru lovers feared the Outback Sport version might disappear altogether. However, company representatives at the recent Frankfurt show have dispelled our greatest fears – showcasing the potential Outback Sport replacement, aka the XV. As of yesterday, Edmunds reports that Subaru has officially confirmed the XV will be headed our way sometime during 2012, as a 2013 model.

The XV looks to be a direct replacement for the outgoing Impreza Outback Sport, which met a recent demise in 2012. Yet, Subaru has not finalized the new vehicle’s name, using XV as a concept moniker.

Russian auto company Dartz seems to be in business for no other reason than to make a scene. Sometimes it's kind of good, like when they launch a futuristic, 2000-hp armored car, and sometimes it’s bad, like when the company suffers big fallout over the use of unnecessary materials like whale penis leather. Either way, Dartz just keeps making us scratch our heads in bewilderment.

In teasing its next debut, Dartz has us scratching our heads once again.

When President Raul Castro assumed control of his brother’s communist-inspired island government, the world took a collective gasp—wondering just what would happen next. As it turns out, Raul seems to be opening Cuba’s restricted economy in an effort toward greater marketplace freedom. Back in April, more than 300 different reforms were put forth by the newly minted President at a congress of Cuba’s Communist Party. Among those reforms was a proposal to allow the buying and selling of cars made after the Cuban Revolution of 1959.

Previously, only cars that were in Cuba prior to 1959 could be legally bought or sold, which is why there exists such a plethora of pre-1959 cars in Cuba.

A few decades ago, Hyundai was known for one thing: cheap, unreliable cars. Today, the Korean automaker has successfully turned its image around, offering a diverse lineup that includes everything from entry level subcompacts to muscle cars. Hyundai has been so successful at diversifying, it may very well need a luxury brand to house cars like the $58,000 Equus. Hyundai has become a quality option in nearly every corner of the marketplace.

According to a Fortune report, the company is having so much sales success, it can barely keep up with demand.

If you took a look at the Ferrari 458 Spider at the recent Frankfurt Motor Show and thought the retractable hard-top would add around $30,000 to the price of the popular, award-winning 458, color yourself correct. Ferrari announced US and European pricing for its latest sporty drop-top, and we're looking at a 15 percent increase over 458 Italia hard-top pricing.

At least year's Paris Motor Show, Lotus came out, guns blazing, with a slew of sports car concepts designed to reinvent the brand. When the smoke from those booming gunshots finally cleared, there was one more car to be seen: the City Car concept, a tiny subcompact based on the Emas concept from parent company Proton.

Lotus is working on production of many of those concepts, including the City Car, which will be called the Ethos. Despite dour sales for competitors like the smart fortwo, Lotus will bring the Ethos to the US market in a couple years.

Things were going so well for OnStar. Their platform has been getting richer and richer, it's now available in over-the-counter form, and it recently added a streamlined RemoteLink app. And then they go ahead and change the rules of their service, and all goes to hell.

Last week, OnStar announced changes that include controversial measures allowing it to sell customer data to third parties and continue monitoring users even after they cancel the service. In other words, OnStar can watch your every GPS move like Big Brother for the life of your vehicle, then sell the information to third party companies.

Hi. As a member of the generation called “X” I’ve been subjected to the above style of advertisement slogan for years now. Recently, however, I noticed that it had finally died down to a low roar. But then Toyota had to go and mess it all up with their new TACOMA EXTREME!

Year after year, car manufacturers improve vehicle ‘safety’ with new technologies developed after incredible investment into research and development. But at what cost? Do drivers really want a seven-speed automatic transmission for smooth shifting or scores of multi-directional airbags adding precious weight to an already bloated ride? Who knows, but most people can agree that any automotive technology improvements are usually exciting—regardless of how practical they might be. Unfortunately, Nissan’s new plan to develop hands-free R&D driving technology rides the same fine line of an exciting development mixed with questionable practicality.

After determining your driving patters, Nissan’s ‘car of tomorrow’ will be able to predict your next move. In theory, as the driver thinks about turning right the vehicle will prepare itself to turn, choosing the proper speed and road position for you.

When it debuted in 2009, the Bugatti 16C Galibier was an unlikely marriage of ultra-premium sedan and 800-hp supercar. The concept was basically a stretched out, slightly detuned Veyron with an interior expensive enough to make a multi-billionaire blush. Such an odd car was bound to polarize auto fans, and, from the opinions that I've read, that's exactly what happened. Some were enamored with the polished aluminum-and-carbon theme, winged engine bay, and incomparably luxurious interior. Others saw an eyesore excessive and unattractive enough to bring back a serious debate on socialist reform.

Well, today we have some equally divisive news: Bugatti is still pursuing Galibier development, but plans some significant changes as it moves from concept to production.